In1921, the idea of Betty Crocker hatched as a Washburn-Crosby Company advertising tool.

Betty as a common woman's name

Crocker for the late secretary and director of the Washburn Crosby Company, William G. Crocker

The company first used her name to sign replies to various personal requests for household advice which they received from customers by mail.

1924

The "Betty Crocker Cooking School of the Air," began broadcasting on Friday mornings; eventually becoming a network program with a nation-wide audience. Marjorie Husted prepared the script for 10 years and (wo)manned the microphone for the midwestern show.

1928

A merger of approximately 24 flour companies (including Washburn-Crosby Company) resulted in General Mills, Inc.

1936

Neysa McMein combined various common characteristics to create a portrait of Betty Crocker. Betty's portrait has changed throughout the years to accommodate mainstream cultural expectations.

1930to1950

General Mills published various promotional pamphlets by Betty Crocker. Some of these include:

1933: Betty Crocker's $25,000 Recipe Set Featuring Recipes From World Famous Chefs For Foods That Enchant Men.

1933: Betty Crocker's 101 Delicious Bisquick Creations As Made And Served by Well-Known Gracious Hostesses; Famous Chefs' Distinguished Epicures and Smart Luminaries of Movieland.

1941-1945: Betty Crocker Cook Book of All-Purpose Baking (published as an aid to war-time considerations in cooking).

1950

General Mills published the hardback:BETTY CROCKER'S PICTURE COOK BOOK.

By1991, and its seventh edition, twenty-six million copies of BETTY CROCKER'S PICTURE COOK BOOK had been printed.

Pictured below are the various trade editions of the BETTY CROCKER PICTURE COOK BOOK. All editions were published in both case bindings and three-ring binder format. The limited and text editions are not pictured here.